CAMPESTRINI CONDUCTS THE WORLD

Christoph Campestrini was considered to be a "young" star among Austrian conductors for a long time. In the mean time,however, the Linz-born conductor has matured greatly as he has worked with more than 60 Symphony Orchestras on all 5 continents. In 1998 he had his debut with the London Symphony Orchestra and this year 35 year old Campestrini conducted the New Year`s Concert at the Canadian National Arts Centre in Ottawa.

Mr.Campestrini, you will be featured at the Linz Bruckner Hall on February 8 in symphonies by Mozart and Brahms as well as in a world premiere by Vienna-born Roland Batik. How does this go together?

CC: "The idea was to juxtapose works from the classical tradition with a world premiere. This opposition in style between Mozart and Brahms on the one hand and a new work on the other hand is something I find quite fascinating. Classical music in general is often considered to be conservative - which doesn`t have to be the case as there are also new and contemporary ways to approach it. Music to me is a timeless phenomenon. With good music you will always be able to reach people."

How do you approach working at the piano concerto by Roland Batik?

CC: "I discuss the piece together with the composer. For this reason we have met several times already. When you study a new work as a conductor you have to be open-minded to all sorts of different ideas. First I skim through the score looking for the big line and how the climaxes are being built up. From there on I focus on details more and more. Only after having spent many hours with a score it is possible to develop a personal relationship with a new work."

How does this personal relationship look like?

CC: "Emotional. Music always has to say something to me, it has to speak to me as a human being. Only afterwards I will analyse other aspects of it. Often I go around "preganant" with a new piece for several weeks. At the performance I then try to live through the music again from a spontanious perspective."

How would you describe the music of Roland Batik?

CC: "It is easily accessible and good music. I am personally open to many different streams in music starting from the Renaissance period up to contemporary music. There are works, however, in the repertory that took me some time to appreciate. Other composers have been close to me always, such as Haydn, Schubert, Bruckner, Mahler, music of the Fin de Siecle period or Slavic music."

How can one tell with closed eyes that Campestrini is conducting a performance?

CC: "Others can judge that probably better. My philosophy is to prepare an orchestra as detailed as possible in rehearsal so that in performance the musicians can react spontaneously to the natural flow of the music."

You have conducted already orchestras on all 5 continents. Is there an Austrian way to make music?

CC: "No, but it is true that Austrian music is being appreciated world wide. In Austria itself music certainly plays a big role within the society, possibly more so than in other places."

For a long time you had the reputation of being a "young" star. Is it difficult to emancipate yourself from this image?

CC: "For every artist it is important to be able to mature slowly. In artistic terms my time as 1.Kapellmeister at the Aalto Musiktheater Essen has given me the chance to develop in many ways. During this time I conductd there more than 100 opera performances. Within the last few years I also was able to build up relationships with several orchestras internationally, for instance in Israel, France, Germany, Austria, Mexico, Hongkong, and now more and more in the US and Canada. I think that an artist hould be judged by artistic criterias rather than other aspects of his career."

At the moment you don`t have a fixed engagement. Why?

CC: "I enjoy being able to accept all the interesting inviatations that I receive. If I had a fixed engagement I would not have the same liberty. In fact I think it is very helpful to build up international experience before settling again with a permanent position."

How does Christoph Campestrini react to .....  .....wrong notes?

"I wrinkle my eyebrows.Then I try to fix things with a friendly smile."

 .....musicians that arrive late for rehearsal?

"I get upset. Not being in time is not being professional." 

.....a missed entrance at a performance?

"I immediately establish eye contact with the musician. Then he or she should get back on track soon."

 ......bad reviews?

"In the same way as to good reviews: With equanimity. A review is a reaction to a specific concert situation that might be totally different the next night already."

 Text: Herbert Schorn